Signal means



May 12, 1925.

W- GRAH SIGNAL MEANS Filed Dec. 1, 1924 gwvenko o lll lllll I Patented May 12, 1925.

UNIT-EDT STATES WILLIAM GRAH, or

SIGNAL Application filed December ter intended for use in connection with automobiles, and has for its object the provision of a simple, efiicient and novel means of this character.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and while in its broader aspect it is capable of embodiment in different forms, a preferred embodimentthereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,--

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an automobile with a signal device embodying the invention associated therewith. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section of the device talaen'on the line 22 in Fig. 1 with the signal member in inoperative position. Fig. 3 is a similar view with the signal member in operative position and with the pneumatic control means diagrammatically shown in connection therewith and partly broken away. Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the device with a part broken away, and Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a case or enclosure means adapted to be car- .ried in convenient positionon the side of an automobile or other vehicle body 2. This case is of vertically elongated form, is substantially rectangular in cross-section, and has a longitudinally extending slot or opening 3 in its outer side. A shaft 4 is journalled in the upper portion of the case 1 in transverse relation to the slot 3 and carries a pinion 5, which meshes with a rack bar 6, which is vertically disposed within the case and is guided at its upper end and retained in mesh with the pinion 5 by a guide 7 pivotally mounted on and projecting from the shaft 1. The lower end of the raclcbar 6 is connected to the upper movable end of a bellows S mounted in the lower portion of the case 1. Expanding movements of the bellows actuate the rack bar 6 to impart rotation in one direction to the shaft 4. The manual control means for thebellows S is shown, in the 1,537,080 PATENT oFFIcE. 1

present instance, as comprising a hand bulb 9, which may be mounted on the steering post of the associated vehicle, and a foot bulb 10, which may be disposed in convenient position to be operated by the'driver. Each of these bulbs has suitable hose connection 11 with the bellows.

The shaft 4 has an arm 12 projecting transversely therefrom in position toswing through the case opening 3 when the shaft is rocked, and to this arm is attached one edge of a fan-like signal member 13. This member is of segmental form and has its inner edge attached to the rear of the case 1, as for instance to a bail member 14 attached to said case. The member 13 is foldable in the manner of a fan, and when the arm 12 is swung downwardly to a point within the case 1, the member is compactly folded within the case, and as the arm 12 swings outwardly and upwardly to operative horizontal position the signal member 13 unfolds and stands as indicated in Fig. 3.

It will be understood that upon forcing air into the bellows 8 it will be caused to expand and effect an upward movement of the rack bar 6, which in turn acts on the a pinion 5 and turns the shaft 4 to throw the arm 12 and signal member 13 to project it to operative position. In order to facilitate a downward swinging of the arm 12 and member 13 the shaft 1 is provided with a spring 15, which exerts a turning movement on the shaft in the proper direction to return the signal member 2 to, and yieldingly retain it in, inoperative position within the case. I i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a signal device of the class described. a case having an opening in the outer side thereof, a shaft, means yieldably urging rotation of said shaft in one direction, a pinion on the shaft, a rack in engagement with the pinion and movable lengthwise of the case, a bellows connected to the; rack and operable to rock the shaft in one direction against the tension of said yielding means when the bellows is expanded a fan-like signal member connected at one end to the shaft and at its other end to the interior of the case and operable to open up to signal ling position outside the casethrough the opening therein when the shaft is rotated by expansion of the bellows, and a hand bulb communicating with the bellows for operation thereof."

2. In a signal device of the class described,

a case having an opening in the outer side thereof, a shaft, means yieldingly urging rotation of said shaft in one d1rect1on, a pinion on the shaft, a rack in engagement with the pinion and movable lengthwise of the case, abellows connected to the rack and operable to rock the shaft in'one direction against the tension of saidyielding means when the bellows is expanded, a fan-like signal member connected at one end to the shaft In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed niymame to this? specification. 1-1, I fr 11 IL IAM RA 

